Going out to eat for a food review takes some priming and serious gearing up beforehand. Here are my own tips if youâ€™re interested in getting maximum flavor out of food.

*****Brush your teeth and floss at least an hour and a half before eating anything. Also, do not use minted dental floss or Listerine if you plan to eat or drink. Mint lingers in the mouth too long and Listerine, I find, toys with tastebuds for up to two hours.

*****Smell everything. Whiff wine before every sip.Subtly catch a sniff of your food before putting it in your mouth. If youâ€™ve normally got a good sense of smell, odds are you have a very keen sense for flavor.Also, tasting requires the nose. Think of what food tastes like when you have a cold --- like nothing.

******Do not wear perfume or use scented hand cream.It will distract from your dining experience as well as others.Again, smelling food is part of the overall pleasure of eating.

******Avoid flavor conflicts with wine.Lemon or lime in drinking water is a no-no. Itâ€™s like brushing your teeth and drinking orange juice right afterward â€“ yick. Also asparagus and artichoke tend to clash badly with wine.

****** If I know Iâ€™m eating out, Iâ€™ll have a small snack two hours before the meal.It keeps my appetite in check and prevents indulging too much in the bread basket, a personal weakness.

*******Before leaving the house, I drink a cup or two of hot water with nothing in it --- no lemon, no tea. It refreshes the palate and helps digestion.